Quick guide on how to sum a column in Google Sheets
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 5:01 am
Knowing how to add columns in a spreadsheet is very useful for balancing budgets, crunching numbers, or handling data. Why? Because it's not just about speed, but about accuracy and ease. With spreadsheet software like Google Sheets, you can add up a column in seconds, and it even updates automatically when values change, saving you from tedious recalculations.
Whether you're new to Google Sheets or need a quick refresher, this guide will explain how to sum a column in Google Sheets using several methods. No more manually adding up values across a range of columns.
Let's get started
Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are several ways to quickly calculate the total of a column in Google Sheets. Feel free to choose the most suitable one from the options below, depending on your preference or the complexity of your data.
Method 1: Use the SUM function manually
The easiest way to sum a switzerland number data column in Google Sheets is to use the SUM function. It's great for simple tasks with small data sets. Here's how to use the SUM formula:
Select the empty cell where you want the answer to appear. Let's say you're adding up the expense on office supplies, as shown in the image below. In this case, E13 is our destination cell.
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 1
Screenshot via Google Sheets
Type '=SUM(' followed by the range of cells you want to sum. For example, we want a sum of the total expenses listed in column E of cells 3 through 12. Therefore, the sum formula would be =SUM(E3:E12)
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 2
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Press Enter, and the Google Sheets sum will appear in the selected cell
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 3
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Method 2: Sum a column using the toolbar
If typing formulas is too much work, Google Sheets has a nifty sum function button on the right side of the toolbar. It's perfect for those who prefer a more visual approach when processing data in Google Sheets. Here's how to do it:
Highlight the column you want to sum and click the Function button on the toolbar. It is represented by the Greek sign sigma ( Σ ).
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 1
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Select SUM from the drop-down menu
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 2
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Google Sheets will automatically insert the sum function into the empty cell just below the last cell in the column
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 3
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Click Enter, and the sum of that column will appear in the cell
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 4
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Method 3: Using the AutoSum Function
If you want an even faster way to get the sum of a column without entering any formulas or clicking any tools, the auto-sum feature in Google Sheets will come in handy. It's also great if you want to import a large data set to calculate the sum instantly. Here's how to find out the sum value of a column in a sheet:
Highlight all the cells you want to sum
Look at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will find the sum of the values of the selected cells. This even works for finding the value of the sum of the contents of the rows
AutoSum Function in Google Sheets
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Read more: Google Sheets that every user should know
Advanced Addition Methods for Google Sheets
Once you've mastered the basics of column summation in spreadsheets, you'll move on to using more advanced summation techniques in Google Sheets to perform complex calculations. These methods will save you time and effort while increasing your accuracy and efficiency.
Method 1: Sum with filtered data When working in a spreadsheet with filtered data, you may want to sum only the visible rows. In this case, you cannot directly use the SUM function in Google Sheets as it will include the hidden values. In this case, use the SUBTOTAL function as shown below:
First, apply the filter. For example, we are using the filter for item values that have quantities greater than or equal to 20
Addition with filtered data
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Select the empty cell where you want to sum the numbers from the filtered column
Type '=SUBTOTAL(109,' followed by the cell range. As stated above, this would be E3 through E12, so the formula would be =SUBTOTAL(109, E3:E12). The function code 109 as the first argument is used to ignore hidden rows.
Whether you're new to Google Sheets or need a quick refresher, this guide will explain how to sum a column in Google Sheets using several methods. No more manually adding up values across a range of columns.
Let's get started
Google Sheets: A Step-by-Step Guide
There are several ways to quickly calculate the total of a column in Google Sheets. Feel free to choose the most suitable one from the options below, depending on your preference or the complexity of your data.
Method 1: Use the SUM function manually
The easiest way to sum a switzerland number data column in Google Sheets is to use the SUM function. It's great for simple tasks with small data sets. Here's how to use the SUM formula:
Select the empty cell where you want the answer to appear. Let's say you're adding up the expense on office supplies, as shown in the image below. In this case, E13 is our destination cell.
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 1
Screenshot via Google Sheets
Type '=SUM(' followed by the range of cells you want to sum. For example, we want a sum of the total expenses listed in column E of cells 3 through 12. Therefore, the sum formula would be =SUM(E3:E12)
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 2
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Press Enter, and the Google Sheets sum will appear in the selected cell
SUM Function Manually How to Sum a Column in Google Sheets Screenshot 3
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Method 2: Sum a column using the toolbar
If typing formulas is too much work, Google Sheets has a nifty sum function button on the right side of the toolbar. It's perfect for those who prefer a more visual approach when processing data in Google Sheets. Here's how to do it:
Highlight the column you want to sum and click the Function button on the toolbar. It is represented by the Greek sign sigma ( Σ ).
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 1
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Select SUM from the drop-down menu
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 2
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Google Sheets will automatically insert the sum function into the empty cell just below the last cell in the column
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 3
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Click Enter, and the sum of that column will appear in the cell
Sum of a column using the toolbar How to sum a column in Google Sheets Screenshot 4
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Method 3: Using the AutoSum Function
If you want an even faster way to get the sum of a column without entering any formulas or clicking any tools, the auto-sum feature in Google Sheets will come in handy. It's also great if you want to import a large data set to calculate the sum instantly. Here's how to find out the sum value of a column in a sheet:
Highlight all the cells you want to sum
Look at the bottom right corner of the screen. You will find the sum of the values of the selected cells. This even works for finding the value of the sum of the contents of the rows
AutoSum Function in Google Sheets
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Read more: Google Sheets that every user should know
Advanced Addition Methods for Google Sheets
Once you've mastered the basics of column summation in spreadsheets, you'll move on to using more advanced summation techniques in Google Sheets to perform complex calculations. These methods will save you time and effort while increasing your accuracy and efficiency.
Method 1: Sum with filtered data When working in a spreadsheet with filtered data, you may want to sum only the visible rows. In this case, you cannot directly use the SUM function in Google Sheets as it will include the hidden values. In this case, use the SUBTOTAL function as shown below:
First, apply the filter. For example, we are using the filter for item values that have quantities greater than or equal to 20
Addition with filtered data
Screenshot via Google Sheets_
Select the empty cell where you want to sum the numbers from the filtered column
Type '=SUBTOTAL(109,' followed by the cell range. As stated above, this would be E3 through E12, so the formula would be =SUBTOTAL(109, E3:E12). The function code 109 as the first argument is used to ignore hidden rows.